, 1887-10-16
IN MEMPHIS.
The President Receives a
Rousing Reception.
A Tragic Incident Mars the
Pleasures
Anarchist Parsons Demands
His Liberty.
The President in Memphis.

over.
The tragic incident occurred Just as the
president closed his remarks IN response
to the judges welcome. Though the day
was not u~neomtorJabiy warm the SPOT in
the center of the court square, where the
speakers stand had been erected. was an
exposed one. and Judge Elicit, who stood
for a time with his hat off as the president
was speaking, sat down and was soon
overcome by heat. DR.. Bryant, of the
president party, took direction of affairs
and remained with the unfortunate gen
tleman while the president was escorted
to the Cotton and Merchants Exchange.
Judge Elicit died five minutes after the
president left the reviewing stand. This
fact was studiously kept from the presi-
dent.
Judge Elicit was a courtly gentleman
and of high local repute and his address,
which was not alone for Memphis, but for
the whole OF the South, was a memorable
one. The presidents reply was equally
notable. The other aspects of the occa.
sion had combined to make the affair
extraordinary in all respects. The decora-
tons visible everywhere were more elabo-
rate and general than those of any place
yet visited by the president, with the
possible exception of Madison, and 1t was
remarked that twice as many people were
on the streets han have ever been seen
before in Memphis.
Judge Elicit first presented Mr.. Cleve-
land with a symbolical freedom of the city
and then addressing the president he con-
participated in a celebration of the one
hundredth anniversary of the formation
of the constitution of the United States
and you have beheld multitudes of our
fellow countrymen focking from every
direction to the spot where that instru-
ment was fashioned and renewing their
vows of tealty at the shrine of that grand
est monument of human wisdom. Let me
say, sir, that every Southern heart was in
full sympathy with that interesting occa-
sion and that no where in all this broad
land will you find more loyalty to the con
s%titutlon OF the United States and to the
government created by it than among the
people Of the Southern states.
Differences of opinion as to its true
theory and proper construction in some
points existed from its very creation, and
the controversy has been angry and bitter.
One great and important interest in the
progress of things became seotionalized,
and out of it arose a question of constitu-
uonal Interpretation which was regarded
~ SHS COhNhNih pSOpiS 40 o. vial W luClI
their rights and interests that they com
mitted their solutions to arbitration of
arms. But, Mr.. President, they have
bowed to the stern logic of events until
they have in a frank and manly way ac-
cepted the result of the struggle as a final
settlement OF all questions in dispute, and
they have since labored with rare courage,
tCrtitude and cheertulness to acconmo
date themselves to their new condition, to
reconstruct their broken fortunes, and
to contribute as far as possible to the
general prosperity and happiness of the
whole country.
by the conflict the theory of the right
of state to withdraw from federal compact
was overthrow and the indestructibility
of the American Union was established on
the irmest foundation. The chief ele-
ment of dlscord has been removed for
ever, and though questions will continue
to arise about which men may differ and
differ earnestly, it is settled beyond appeal
that for all abuses and grievances that
may arise from the action of the general
government the remedy must hereafter be
sought within the pale of the Union and
under the forms OF the established gov
ernment.'
The speaker closed with a graceful
tribute to Mrs. Cleveland, and the presi.
dent, replying, sketched the triumph of
Memphis in overcoming the ravaRes Of
the war and pestilence, closing as follows:
The patriotic sentiment expressed on
your behalf by your honored fellow citi-
zen in his address of welcome, | am sure
| may say will be generously responded to
by your countrymen OF the North. They
want, | believe, a rest from sectional bit
teIness, and they know hat the destiny
of our country is only to be achieved by a
true union in sentiment of feeling, as
well as in name. The business interests
of our people are too al 3rt and intelligent
to be sacrificed or injured by selfish APP
peals to passions which should be allaved.
They only insist that all the results of the
arbitrament of arms, to which reference
has here been made, shall be fully re
tanned and enforced.
There floats past your city our nations
great river which you rightfully regard as
a most important factor in your present
and future welfare and which, | believe,
is universally recognized as a proper object
of governmental protection and improve
ment. To Memphis and to every other
city on its banks the improvement of this
vast highway of is so essential
that they should be interested in having
this and other proper work of the same
description considered upon their merits
and freed from scenes sometimes ques-
tionable in their character and often ex.
travaGant in demands. | desire to return
to the kind citizens of Memphis and its
neighborhood nv thanks for their cordial
greetings, with the wish that hereafter
nothing but prosperity will follow all their
activity and enterprise"
When Judge Elicit sank into his chair
in a f~ainting condition. some little confu-
sion followed. DR.. Bryant, assisted by
Postmaster General Villas and Col. Robt.
F. Dooney, caught him as he was in the
act of falling to the platform, and several
| gentlemen of the entertainment committee
who were seated close by aided in the
efforts that were being made to restore
! him to consciousness. Three or four of
the ladias used their fans and did all in